First, the State of California faulted Knott's Berry Farm and Intamin this week for the cable snap on Knott's Xcelerator launch roller coaster last fall. Essentially, the state knocked Intamin for confusing maintenance instructions and Knott's for not inspecting and repairing the cable often enough. The cable shredded during a launch last year, a moment that was captured in a YouTube video that the park swiftly had taken down. With the report filed, repairs made and a new maintenance schedule in place, the ride's now reopened for visitors.
Another water sprite has collided with the ferryboat at Walt Disney World. In an incident last Thursday, a man drove the small boat in which he and his wife were riding too close to the ferry. He tried to swerve, but didn't have enough room. The ferryboat driver switched to reverse, but the wife was pinned against the ferry, suffering chest injuries.
Authorities might press charges against the sprite driver, for reckless boating. If the circumstance warrant, bravo, I say. If the park is a fault in an incident (as with Xcelerator), then the state should take action against the park. But if a park visitor is at fault, and violates a law in doing so, then appropriate charges should be on the table against the park visitor, as well. (In this case, I would keep in mind that the wife's injuries are punishment enough, so any appropriate charge should be pretty light.)
Since so many of the incidents that result in people getting hurt in theme parks can be prevented, we've put together a list of Top 10 Theme Park Safety Tips. I hope that all Theme Park Insider readers will take a look at that list before visiting the parks this year.
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"Michael Wormald, the victim's husband, was driving the boat when the crash happened. He stated that he believed the ferry was going to move away for him and his wife, but he then noticed the vessel was coming at their boat when it was only a short distance away."
Wait....what? You are in a two passenger boat and you think the ferry is going to get out of your way?!?! A ferry?!?!
Okay, first that ferry isn't exactly a jetski cruising around the lake. It is a big lumbering mass. To not even know that you are in close proximity to it is confusing. And second, if it is you vs a ferry, please know that the ferry is always going to win in this little game of chicken. Seriously, if you are waiting for the ferry to do a sharp 180 so you can continue on your little reckless pleasure cruise, you are clearly a confused person.
Thats just dumb. I'm no lawyer, but charges seem appropriate. I just can't see how Disney could be liable at all.
My point is that (some)people think that because they paid for something, that gives them some extra rights. Never minding other people paid too, and have rights too. (In this particular instance being safe on the water.)
The fact that he thought the ferry would move is ludacris. Is reaaaally dumb!! (To put it kindly) If this was me i wouldn't even be or put myself in the path of a Ferry. Never mind turn at the last second. So if he is guilty, it goes to show once again that some people(a lot in my opinion)don't have any common sense.
That said, the laws of physics will trump the Rules of Navigation just about every time. That's why Disney tells the small boaters to STAY AWAY from the ferries.
cheers though, you have a fine point.
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Sure there's only a small amount of people who use a boat or water craft, but why is it that only Alabama requires a license?
I do feel bad whenever people get hurt at theme parks. But I also get irritated when some people think it's always the theme park's fault for everything.